A re-elected Labor Government will deliver a comprehensive package to enhance the support provided to families through pregnancy, birth and caring for their babies. 

We know that the first weeks and months after birth can be a special but stressful time for young families. That's why Labor will partner with Roundabout Canberra to provide a Baby Bundle to babies born to first time parents.

The Bundles will include essential items and information to support the safety, health and wellbeing of a newborn and their family. We will work with Roundabout to provide other essential items to the families who need it most. 

As part of our commitment to hire 800 health workers in the next term, we will hire more midwives and expand the continuity of care program across the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children and the North Canberra Hospital. This means more women and pregnant people will be provided consistent care by the same team of midwives.

Adjusting to a new baby is a very challenging time and it can have a significant impact on the mental health of parents. To support to local families, a re-elected Labor Government will increase access to evidence-based prenatal and postnatal parenting programs and playgroups.

These programs will aim to increase support beyond parents with a first child to parents with diverse needs, parents with disability and culturally and linguistically diverse families.

To provide specialist services for parents experiencing perinatal mental illness, we will also establish a 6-bed perinatal mental health residential unit and open a peer-supported safe space in a community setting.

As part of this comprehensive package, Labor will also: 

• Co-design a second early pregnancy unit and Birth Centre as part of the new Northside Hospital
• Pilot a birth companion program at the Canberra Hospital
• Work with Winnunga Nimmityjah and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to establish a Birthing on Country program for First Nations families
• Continue to participate in the Whole Nine Months public health campaign to reduce the rate of preterm births
• Establish a low-cost public IVF service. A scoping study is underway and if re-elected we will continue to explore options for making fertility treatment more affordable

It's part of our practical and proven plan to invest in better healthcare, at the right place and at the right time.